Upping the ratios

ScratchyDom · Apr 28, 2014

Here's a bit of a dilemma. I want to up the gearing on my '71 2a 109 2 1/4 diesel. I've currently got an overdrive fitted that screams like a banshee when the gearbox oil warms up (after 1/2 and hour driving). There is also some slack in the transmission (done the diff and UJs) and it is losing oil from the gearbox into the transfer box.

So I've been thinking of getting an Ashcroft high ratio transfer box kit - I've acquired another gear and t-fer box so was going to do the build ready for a quick changeover (I use the Landy for my work).

But then today I spotted an LT77 5 speed box mated to a series t-fer box with the Ashcroft kit on ebay. Which to go for then...?

divie · Apr 28, 2014

I have read the Ashcroft site (some time ago so memory may fail) I think there conversion requires moving the engine forward 4". The high ratio transfer kit up the ratio around 28% 3.54 rangie diffs around 25% My 88" 2.25 diesel struggled to pull 3.54 diffs even with a good rebuilt engine and I went back to 4.7s

Turboman · Apr 28, 2014

ScratchyDom said:
Here's a bit of a dilemma. I want to up the gearing on my '71 2a 109 2 1/4 diesel. I've currently got an overdrive fitted that screams like a banshee when the gearbox oil warms up (after 1/2 and hour driving). There is also some slack in the transmission (done the diff and UJs) and it is losing oil from the gearbox into the transfer box.

So I've been thinking of getting an Ashcroft high ratio transfer box kit - I've acquired another gear and t-fer box so was going to do the build ready for a quick changeover (I use the Landy for my work).

But then today I spotted an LT77 5 speed box mated to a series t-fer box with the Ashcroft kit on ebay. Which to go for then...?

High ratio transfer box is a very good piece of kit imo, but as above this is usually done with increased power.

ScratchyDom · Apr 28, 2014

divie said:
I have read the Ashcroft site (some time ago so memory may fail) I think there conversion requires moving the engine forward 4". The high ratio transfer kit up the ratio around 28% 3.54 rangie diffs around 25% My 88" 2.25 diesel struggled to pull 3.54 diffs even with a good rebuilt engine and I went back to 4.7s

I've been trundling around Dorset today and came to the conclusion that anything other than a Series box would destroy the character of the old girl so the LT77 is out of the equation.

I occasionally forget to take her out of overdrive and really don't have a problem pulling away or up hills. Maybe I've got a particularly strong (relatively speaking) diesel.

I've decided against the diffs route as that alters your low range too.

The alternative is refurbishing the overdrive which might be a tad costly and I still really need to take the gearbox out to sort the oil seals. And I noticed it popping out of third today...

trax · Apr 28, 2014

if it's any use i used to run a 2.25d in a 110 with a lt77, 1.6 lt230 and normal fender diffs. it was alright on the flats, crap up hill.

sp00k · Apr 28, 2014

trax said:
if it's any use i used to run a 2.25d in a 110 with a lt77, 1.6 lt230 and normal fender diffs. it was alright on the flats, crap up hill.

I bet that was a bunch of laughs. My 2.5D with the same setup used to be totally frustrating on the slightest incline. I was transported back to my memories of it the other day when I passed a series coming the other way and immediately smelled that old familiar smell of burning engine oil after it passed

trax · Apr 28, 2014

sp00k said:
I bet that was a bunch of laughs. My 2.5D with the same setup used to be totally frustrating on the slightest incline. I was transported back to my memories of it the other day when I passed a series coming the other way and immediately smelled that old familiar smell of burning engine oil after it passed

haha, it was pretty funny. 1st gear up 12% hills.

or it would slow right down on slight gradients on dual carriageways. cruising on flats at 50 down to 30

300 in it now though :tea:

blue beasty · Apr 28, 2014

I've got the same sort of dilemma. Hills are a bit of a struggle in me ambulance 2 1/4P but on the flat a higher gear would make all the difference to economy.

Considered diffs or a high ratio tranny but i really don't want to lift 3rd any higher else it'll be 2nd on hills so O/D seems the best option....apart from they don't come cheap.

9.00x16's give 10% extra but involves some chopping and being a little more top heavy than standard might be a little scary

Overdrives are like wimmins.....everyone wants one but when you get one all they do is WHIIIINE!

trax · Apr 28, 2014

blue beasty said:
I've got the same sort of dilemma. Hills are a bit of a struggle in me ambulance 2 1/4P but on the flat a higher gear would make all the difference to economy.

Considered diffs or a high ratio tranny but i really don't want to lift 3rd any higher else it'll be 2nd on hills so O/D seems the best option....apart from they don't come cheap.

9.00x16's give 10% extra but involves some chopping and being a little more top heavy than standard might be a little scary

Overdrives are like wimmins.....everyone wants one but when you get one all they do is WHIIIINE!

consider dropping a different engine in? i know it changes originality, but at least you can use it.

ScratchyDom · Apr 28, 2014

Put a different enjun in and you'll want discs up front. And coils. Might as well get a Defender!

BB, I'll have an overdrive going begging once I get the gearbox done. Which will give you 6-8 weeks to save your pennies!

blue beasty · Apr 28, 2014

trax said:
consider dropping a different engine in? i know it changes originality, but at least you can use it.

Happy to use her like she is just looking to stretch the juice a little further

I did buy her with the intention of dropping in a tdi at the first sign of trouble but truth is I've grown to like being able to have a conversation on the move

Engines only done 50k and apart from wanting to upgrade the carb she's sweet as a nut

ScratchyDom said:
Put a different enjun in and you'll want discs up front. And coils. Might as well get a Defender!

BB, I'll have an overdrive going begging once I get the gearbox done. Which will give you 6-8 weeks to save your pennies!

Don't think there's much that 11x3'' twin leading drums won't stop but wanting to stick with what I've got anyway

Nice one Dom, new penny jar on the go

Upping the ratios

ScratchyDom

Well-Known Member

divie

Well-Known Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

ScratchyDom

Well-Known Member

trax

.

sp00k

Well-Known Member

trax

.

blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

trax

.

ScratchyDom

Well-Known Member

blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

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